NEW! FIRST QUARTER WPCNR STATE OF LIFE SERIES ON WHITE PLAINS, WESTCHESTER AND THE WORLD.

WPCNR QUARTERLY NEWS & COMMENT. By John F. Bailey March 24, 2023:

It is the last week of the first quarter of 2023.

This week marks the beginning of a new series of that WPCNR hopes to continue at key intervals in the year ahead.

It used to be leaders used to do State of Everythings in a county, a city, a state, but these addresses are now sporadic at best and given to favored groups and not on a regular basis.

This is a unique opportunity for me to fill the breach this comprehensive lack information gap has left you the concerned, the bewildered, eager for information, what there is of it, what reality is, and what the future can bring.

I am writing this quickly to bring you a full week’s up date on where White Plains, Westchester, New York Stage, the Mid-Hudson Regions are in coping with their lives, expectations of government, things to watch for, situations to be alarmed about. You might call the States of Life series a reality report. You may not agree that what I write is true real or what, but my observations are put forth in your best interests to sort out your personal priorities always moving forward and elicit your own personal opinions which can be forwarded to [email protected].

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STATE SENATOR SHELLEY MAYER ON ALBANY



Dear Friends,

It was another busy week in Albany, with a snowstorm putting session on pause for a day, the One House Budget Resolutions being introduced and passed in each house of the Legislature, and several of my bills passing the Senate.  

The Senate One House Budget Resolution represents the Senate’s priorities and policy positions. I am pleased with many aspects of our budget, including important measures for education. Read more about it below.

With the April 1 deadline approaching, negotiations continue between the Governor, Senate, and Assembly, and I remain hopeful that a final budget will be put forth with policies that are reflective of the needs of all New Yorkers, and those in District 37. 

This Friday, I will co-host a Women’s History Month panel alongside Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, featuring three women writers from Westchester County. More details on this event and how to join are below.  As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, please email me at [email protected] or call (914) 934-5250. Warm regards,Shelley B. MayerState Senator37th DistrictLegislative Update

One House Budget Proposals In response to the Governor’s proposed budget, the Senate and the Assembly have each presented their own budget resolutions. 

Education: Our resolution proposes historic investments in schools – including the full phase in of the Foundation Aid Formula. We propose to continue and increase our investment in full-day Pre-K for four- year-olds, to provide universal free breakfast and lunch for every eligible school in New York, and to increase investments in our 853, 4201, and Special Act schools to help put them on a sustainable path for the future. I am proud to be part of a Senate Majority that believes deeply in investing in our education system that serves the next generation and supports the diverse needs of our students.

Housing Compact: 

The Senate resolution also responds to the Governor’s housing proposal by rejecting the mandatory housing growth targets and the overriding of local zoning while increasing the available incentives for smart growth and creating a land use advisory council to review municipal growth over the next three years.

The Senate also included language in support of the principles of placing reasonable limits on residential rent increases and ensuring tenants are not removed from their homes without “good cause,” as well as providing $250 million for a new Housing Access Voucher Program.

We are committed to addressing the affordable housing crisis in a way that honors the unique character and existing efforts of all of our communities. Our work is not complete.

The Governor’s office, the Senate, and Assembly will begin negotiations to craft our final enacted budget, due April 1st. I will continue to fight for the needs of Westchester residents and all New Yorkers, and I look forward to providing details about the final budget. Here’s a description of the NYS budget process which shows the stages of the process
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STATE CUTS COVID CASE REPORTS TO ONCE A WEEK FRIDAYS

WPCNR COVID SURVEILLANCE. Statistics from NYS Covid Tracker. Observation and Analysis by John F. Bailey. March 20, 2023:

In Governor Kathy Hochul’s Friday Covid Update, (pictured above) the state announced it is cutting back on its daily covid reports of new covid cases and other statistics by county across the state to once a week on Fridays.

The reports that have been used by reporters throughout the state to monitor the rise and now 12-week decline in cases in Westchester County, will no longer be available to note trends.

This anticipated suspension of the detailed reports, first announced by the national Center for Disease Control a month ago when the covid emergency was declared over officially on May 11 by President Biden, will now hamper the public and the press abilities to tell what is going on with the pandemic.

The official notice issued Friday from the Governor’s Office reads:

“Starting today, March 17, and ahead of the federal government’s planned expiration for the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11,

New York State’s COVID-19/vaccine news release will be issued weekly on Fridays until further notice. 

The latest COVID-19 and vaccine data will continue to be available 24/7 on the New York State Department of Health’s online tracker.

Additionally, the State Department of Health is assessing changes to COVID data collection and reporting in collaboration with local health departments and health care providers, in order to alleviate the burden on providers and leverage other data sources to maintain its ability to monitor the state of the disease and health care delivery system capacity.

The agency remains committed to responding to the COVID-19 threat and continues to encourage New Yorkers to use the tools to protect against and treat COVID-19: Vaccines, boosters, testing and treatment. “

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DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH — PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE WEEKEND

BALL IS BACK! The White Plains Varsity Softball team practicing for the first time outside Friday. The arms were firing rocket throws to first. The outfielders were ranging into the gaps on the run. Nothing like seeing a soaring blast backended on the line, a smash handled in the hole and bangout to first. Nothing gets the heart beat faster than ball up close. The Varsity working out outside arrived with the Robins this week.
METRO NORTH ROLLING UP THE HUDSON RIVER LINE PEEKSKILL NY THE BEST PLACE TO TRAIN WATCH–FREIGHTS, AMTRACKING, STILL ROLLING AND NO CANCELLATIONS.
AMTRACK’S MONTREALER ROLLING ROCKING THE HIGH IRON NONSTOP WITH THE BEST WHISTLE IN RAILROADING HIGH BALLING TO GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL CROSSROADS OF THE WORLD SATURDAY.
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